Editor's note: A previous version of this story inaccurately stated that the judge compelled the comptroller to release the funding rather than just ruling that the case can move forward.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — A Ninth Circuit Court judge ruled that Orange County Supervisor of Elections Glen Gilzean has made a “facially sufficient claim” for seeking the return of allocated funding for December.

“The Court finds that Petitioner has stated a facially sufficient claim for issuing a writ of mandamus. Petitioner alleges a clear legal right to the disbursement of the funds allocated for disbursement in December, that Respondent has an indisputable legal duty to disburse those funds, and that there is no adequate remedy at law,” a court document stated.

Gilzean filed a lawsuit against the Orange County government and Comptroller Phil Diamond after commissioners voted to withhold funding from his office on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Orange Circuit Judge Luis Calderon said the county and Diamond have 20 days to "show cause as to why relief should not be granted." After that response, Gilzean has 20 days to file a reply.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings accused Gilzean of inappropriate spending after he used $2.1 million in surplus money to fund debt-free scholarships to Valencia College students.

Out of the $4 million surplus, Gilzean had returned more than $700,000 to the county.

With Orange County being the fourth largest county in the state, Gilzean said his goal for this past election season was to use extra funds to invest back into the people of Orange County and increase voter participation among the younger generation.

This public dispute comes as a new Supervisor of Elections takes over next month.